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Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC)
The Civilian Conservation Corp was one of the most successful programs of the New Deal. It was a relief program that employed millions of young men to work on environmental projects. The men fought forest fires, planted trees, cleared roads, re-seeded, and implemented soil-erosion controls. Many workers were taught to read and write. It was a model for future conservation programs such as the National Civilian Community Corps that was founded in 1993 and is still active today. -
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
The Tennessee Valley Authority covered seven states and was created to help with conservation efforts and to help build industry. It controlled flooding, improved the living standards for farmers, and produced cheaper electrical power using the hydroelectric Wilson Dam. The electricity industry brought jobs to rural areas. Today, TVA is the largest public utility provider in the U.S. It owns 71 plants and facilities. -
Federal Deposit Insurance Commission (FDIC)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Commission was created to provide government insurance for bank deposits, preventing bank failures. The FDIC renewed the nation's trust in the banking system. Today, it continues to give Americans confidence in the banking system. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2011, the deposit insurance limit is now $250,000 per account. The FDIC also regularly conducts risk assessments of institutions it insures. -
Federal Housing Administration
The Federal Housing Administration (within the HUD today) helped with home financing, improved housing standards, and increased employment in the construction industry. It also helped build houses for those that couldn't afford their own. The FHA still exists today. It has insured over 35 million homes since 1934. -
Security & Exchange Commission (SEC)
The Security & Exchange Commission was created to regulate to stock market. It allowed investors to feel more comfortable putting money back into the stock market following the crash. Today, it continues to moderate the stock market. -
Farm Credit Administration (FCA)
The Farm Credit Administration helped farmers refinance their mortgages. This helped them avoid foreclosure and hold their land. Today, it regulates banks and associations of the Farm Credit System. -
National Labor Relations Board (Part of the Wagner Act)
The National Labor Relations Board held factory elections to see if the workers voted in favor of creating a union. It also investigated business leaders and stopped unfair practices. Up until the end of WWII, it wasn't very successful, but its role changed. Today, it safeguards employees' rights to organize and decide whether or not to have a union bargain with their employers. -
Social Security Act
The Social Security Act was created to protect elderly people or unemployed people financially. To earn benefits, people paid special taxes to the government. It also provided welfare for people with disabilities and for poor mothers. Social Security established that the federal government should be responsible for those who were unable to work. Today, SS continues to provide Americans with financial help, especially those in retirement. Its policies change every year along with the economy.
